There are many ways to cut sleepers, but we recommend using a circular saw for accuracy, precision and speed. If you don't have access to power tools, softwood projects may be completed with a handsaw, but hardwoods with require power tools.
Circular saws are the middle ground between hand saws and chainsaws. They allow you to cut sleepers easily while giving you fine control over the angle and manner of the cut. This makes the circular saw the most popular tool for the job.
A good handsaw is probably going to be best for you. You could knock up a giant mitre box quite simply and quickly to help with your accuracy - you could even use the sawn ends of other sleepers as a guide assuming they're square of course.
A circular saw is the best method for cutting railway sleepers, although a hand saw can be used for softwood sleepers. However a circular saw blade may not completely cut through the thickness of a sleeper in one pass - cut through one side, then turn the sleeper over and recut to finish the job.
they can be cut with a chain saw, but as for ripping them down with a chainsaw, it will be difficult and you will struggle to get a decent cut, even if you are used to using a chainsaw. they also blunt chainsaws chains very quickly.
You should not cut roots or anything that's embedded in the dirt with a chainsaw. Cutting in dirt dulls the chainsaw very fast, so you will need to learn to sharpen your saw, send it to a professional for sharpening, or replace it afterwards if you do so. You should also avoid cutting power lines.
New reproduction sleepers will benefit from the use of a wood preserver and an exterior wood oil such as Manns Premier UV Decking Oil.
Circular Saw: Ideal for cutting straight lines and achieving accurate cuts in timber. Ensure you use a circular saw blade with the correct rating for the material. Reciprocating Saw: This power tool is perfect for more intricate cuts or if you're cutting sleepers already fixed in place.
Choose high-quality wood paint or stain that is suitable for outdoor use. Look for products specifically designed for treating sleepers to ensure durability.
If you plan on placing your railway sleeper onto a solid surface such as a patio or concrete, they can be put directly on top, but if you're going to place them on soil, they need to be slightly sunken into the ground.
Cutting railway sleepers is a task that even though is straightforward, it does require precision and accuracy. To ensure a successful cut, it is essential to be equipped with the right tools for the job. Here are the tools that we would recommend for cutting sleepers: Circular saw or chainsaw.
When fixing railway sleepers together, use steel landscaping screws as they are strong, won't corrode if they come into contact with timber treatment, and are available up to 250mm in length. With a hexagonal head they can be put in place using a power drill.
Our favorite circular saw and the one we think is right for most home users is the Skil 5280-01. It performed great all around, and the price is right. For professionals, though, we recommend the Skil SPT77WML-01. It earned the highest overall score, cutting through wood as well as metal, though it will cost you.
Miter Saw. Commonly mistaken for compound miter saws or chop saws, miter saws have a base that is made to sit on a workbench or table. Material can then be placed on top of this base and a large circular blade is pulled down to cut through the material.
To fix railway sleepers to the ground, use spikes or screws designed for outdoor use to ensure they remain stable over time. For raised beds or structures requiring multiple layers of sleepers, stack them securely and fasten each layer together with landscaping screws.
You can rent circular saw in London for approx £9 per day or £33 for a week.
There are many ways to cut sleepers, but we recommend using a circular saw for accuracy, precision and speed. If you don't have access to power tools, softwood projects may be completed with a handsaw, but hardwoods with require power tools.
(A) New or reproduction railway sleepers can be easily protected from the elements by sealing them with a wood oil, wood stain, exterior grade varnish, or garden paint.
As a rule, hardwood oak sleepers tend to last the longest naturally with an expected lifespan of around 100 years. An untreated softwood will last for between three and five years if it sits on the ground, whilst treated softwoods can last between 20 and 30 years if they are maintained correctly.
For the first 100 years railway sleepers were normally made from Wood. Most countries tended to use whatever timber they had lots of. So the UK used Pine, France used Oak, Germany often used Beech, Australia used Jarrah, Africa used Azobe & other tropical hardwoods, and Russia used Pine.
Timberlok screws are an alternative to traditional coach screws and can be used in a number of timber to timber applications. One of the most popular uses for Timberlok screws is fixing timber sleepers together.
Wood Preserver
However, to help nourish and protect the timber from decay it is a good idea to apply a wood preservative. Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements.
As mentioned, sleepers can be treated with a variety of wood care products including wood stains, preservers, oils and garden paints. For new untreated or tanalised sleepers, you can use most types of shed or fence treatments.